Film: The Killer Within – Parallels, parallels with Cho and so many other cases

At the suggestion of Bechtel’s young daughter Carrah, Alston made a movie about Bechtel’s confession as well as the aftermath. In the movie, some students empathize but others call him an outright killer. While Bechtel and his family come to terms with his announcement, the movie also delves into what caused him to commit such an act. Bechtel, who says he had been bullied and abused since age 4, explains that he was bullied by Strozier and other students (an explanation Strozier’s brother and other Swarthmore alumni find questionable).

The movie also points out Bechtel’s history with mental illness. Before the murder, he was hospitalized for psychotic episodes. That’s what led Bechtel to be found not guilty by reason of insanity of the murder, and later sent to a state hospital.